Your day begins with an early breakfast at the hotel. After checking out, you’ll set off northwards toward your first national park of the safari: Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours in total. Along the way, there will be regular stops to stretch your legs, use the facilities, and enjoy the scenery. There is also a very special experience planned en route.
Time in the vehicle is part of the journey. It’s a chance to get to know your driver-guide and share what you’re most excited to see—whether it’s wildlife, landscapes, or birdlife. This helps tailor the safari more to your interests and ensures the best possible experience in Uganda. As you travel, you’ll also begin to understand why Uganda’s national anthem opens with the words “Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty.”
The scenery is constantly changing, and the country’s diversity is remarkable. Uganda lies within Africa’s Great Lakes region, includes a large portion of Lake Victoria, and forms part of the Nile Basin. Sitting at an average altitude of about 1,100 metres above sea level, the country enjoys a pleasant equatorial climate.
Uganda is home to 60 protected areas, including 16 national parks, which support populations of many rare and endangered species. Over the past two decades, the country has moved beyond its difficult past and has emerged as one of Africa’s most exciting safari destinations. It is welcoming, easy to travel in, and known for its friendly, English-speaking people. Add to that gorillas, chimpanzees, the Big Five, over 1,080 bird species, and excellent coffee—and it’s easy to see the appeal.
You’ll drive through the open landscapes of the Nakasongola District before turning off at Nakitooma for a late-morning stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see the Southern White Rhino in the wild. The 70-square-kilometre sanctuary is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Its long-term goal is to build a sustainable rhino population and eventually reintroduce rhinos to Uganda’s national parks.
Here, you’ll enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience on foot, lasting around two hours. Walking quietly through the bush and seeing a rhino just a few metres away is an unforgettable moment. The sanctuary is currently home to 48 white rhinos, as well as many other mammals and reptiles, including antelopes, monkeys, and Nile crocodiles.
After this exciting experience, you’ll continue to Kabalega Diner for lunch. This is a great opportunity to try local Ugandan cuisine if you wish. Traditional dishes include hearty stews made with beans, peanuts, or meat, often served with ugali or wrapped in banana leaves. Fish and vegetarian options are also available, influenced by English, Arab, and Indian flavours.
In the afternoon, you’ll continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Entering the park in the late afternoon, you’ll drive through the southern sector and begin to appreciate the scale of Uganda’s largest national park. Once one of Africa’s most famous reserves, Murchison suffered heavily from poaching in the past.
Today, it is steadily reclaiming its former glory. Covering nearly 4000 square kilometres, the park is home to 76 mammal species, including four of the Big Five, as well as over 450 bird species. The scenery is dramatic and varied, ranging from riverine forests to open savannah. The park is named after the powerful Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge. The falls were named by explorer Sir Samuel Baker in honour of geologist Roderick Murchison.
Over the years, notable visitors to the park have included Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and members of the British royal family. Scenes from the classic film The African Queen were also shot on the Nile and Lake Albert. You’ll arrive at your lodge in the early evening. After settling in, you may choose to relax, enjoy the pool, or simply take in the surroundings. A delicious dinner awaits, followed by a peaceful night’s rest under the African stars.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Tents
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Cottages
Luxury: Papa’s Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinne